2011 NFL Draft: Matt Miller's Top 500 Players and Position Rankings

2011 NFL Draft: Matt Miller's Top 500 Players and Position Rankings

Four weeks from now, 32 NFL teams will pin their futures on the backs of young men barely old enough to buy a beer.

The 2011 NFL Draft is coming now. No clichés, no hype and no more waiting.

Thursday, April 28th marks a new beginning for your favorite club. Will your team find Peyton Manning, or JaMarcus Russell in Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert? Is Von Miller the second-coming of Derrick Thomas or Vernon Gholston?

The beauty in the draft is that no one knows for sure, and very few will agree on anything.

Over the next four weeks, NFL teams will fight, argue and debate the merits of 500-to-750 players as they build their draft board.

We are way ahead of them.

Unveiled today is our top 500 players in the 2011 NFL Draft, broken down by position.

A veteran of the NFL draft and football scouting, Matt Miller is Bleacher Report's resident NFL draft guru. You can follow Matt on Twitter @nfldraftscout and find his football scouting work at www.newerascouting.com

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Quarterbacks

1 of 19

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

As many as five quarterbacks could be drafted in the first round, depending on team need. What we know for sure is that Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton will hear their names called very early on Thursday night.

Other players, like Ryan Mallet and Jake Locker, may go as high as the top 15, or they could fall to Round 2.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

9

1

Blaine Gabbert

QB

Missouri

Jr

6-4

234

4.61

16

2

Cam Newton

QB

Auburn

rJr

6-5

248

4.56

22

3

Jake Locker

QB

Washington

rSr

6-3

231

4.5

31

4

Christian Ponder

QB

Florida State

rSr

6-2

229

4.63

33

5

Andy Dalton

QB

TCU

rSr

6-2

215

4.82

39

6

Ryan Mallett

QB

Arkansas

rJr

6-7

253

5.37

71

7

Colin Kaepernick

QB

Nevada

rSr

6-5

233

4.53

100

8

Ricky Stanzi

QB

Iowa

rSr

6-4

223

4.87

130

9

Greg McElroy

QB

Alabama

rSr

6-2

220

4.84

147

10

Pat Devlin

QB

Delaware

rSr

6-3

225

4.81

195

11

Tyrod Taylor

QB

Virginia Tech

Sr

6-1

217

4.47

208

12

Adam Weber

QB

Minnesota

rSr

6-1

209

4.73

221

13

Taylor Potts

QB

Texas Tech

rSr

6-4

218

5

271

14

Scott Tolzien

QB

Wisconsin

rSr

6-2

212

4.92

275

15

Nathan Enderle

QB

Idaho

rSr

6-4

240

5.12

298

16

T.J. Yates

QB

North Carolina

rSr

6-3

219

5.06

305

17

Jerrod Johnson

QB

Texas A&M

rSr

6-5

251

4.75

316

18

Josh Portis

QB

California (PA)

rSr

6-3

211

4.59

353

19

Jeff Van Camp

QB

Florida Atlantic

rSr

6-5

218

4.83

405

20

Mike Hartline

QB

Kentucky

rSr

6-5

219

4.95

426

21

Mitch Mustain

QB

Southern California

rSr

6-2

200

4.74

430

22

Ben Chappell

QB

Indiana

rSr

6-2

224

5.08

445

23

Adam Froman

QB

Louisville

Sr

6-4

220

4.56

469

24

Austen Arnaud

QB

Iowa State

rSr

6-3

230

4.89

482

25

Blake Bolles

QB

Northwest Missouri State

Sr

6-3

198

4.67

495

26

Trevor Vittatoe

QB

Texas-El Paso

rSr

6-2

218

4.81

500

27

Chris Dieker

QB

Southern Illinois

rSr

6-5

232

4.92

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Running Backs

2 of 19

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

No one running back has separated himself from the rest of the pack so far. Most will agree that Mark Ingram and Mikel Leshoure rank as one and two, but in which order?

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

17

1

Mikel Leshoure

RB

Illinois

Jr

6-0

227

4.56

20

2

Mark Ingram

RB

Alabama

Jr

5-09

215

4.62

42

3

Ryan Williams

RB

Virginia Tech

rSo

5-09

212

4.59

66

4

Kendall Hunter

RB

Oklahoma State

Sr

5-07

199

4.46

76

5

DeMarco Murray

RB

Oklahoma

rSr

6-0

213

4.37

78

6

Jordan Todman

RB

Connecticut

Jr

5-09

203

4.4

80

7

Shane Vereen

RB

California

rJr

5-10

210

4.49

84

8

Daniel Thomas

RB

Kansas State

Sr

6-0

230

4.63

103

9

Taiwan Jones

RB

Eastern Washington

Jr

6-0

194

4.53

112

10

Delone Carter

RB

Syracuse

rSr

5-09

222

4.54

114

11

Jamie Harper

RB

Clemson

Jr

5-11

233

4.53

135

12

Roy Helu

RB

Nebraska

Sr

6-0

219

4.4

153

13

Alex Green

RB

Hawaii

Sr

6-0

225

4.45

154

14

Derrick Locke

RB

Kentucky

Sr

5-08

188

4.37

159

15

Jacquizz Rodgers

RB

Oregon State

Jr

5-06

196

4.59

170

16

Da'Rel Scott

RB

Maryland

rSr

5-11

211

4.4

173

17

Bilal Powell

RB

Louisville

Sr

5-11

207

4.54

188

18

Stevan Ridley

RB

LSU

rJr

5-11

225

4.65

205

19

Evan Royster

RB

Penn State

rSr

6-0

212

4.65

240

20

Dion Lewis

RB

Pittsburgh

rSo

5-07

193

4.56

241

21

Anthony Allen

RB

Georgia Tech

rSr

6-1

228

4.56

252

22

Mario Fannin

RB

Auburn

rSr

5-10

231

4.37

254

23

Noel Devine

RB

West Virginia

Sr

5-08

179

4.34

268

24

Allen Bradford

RB

Southern California

rSr

5-11

242

4.53

293

25

Damien Berry

RB

Miami (Fla.)

Sr

5-10

211

4.58

314

26

John Clay

RB

Wisconsin

rJr

6-1

230

4.83

359

33

Donald Buckram

RB

Texas-El Paso

rSr

5-09

194

4.4

372

34

Baron Batch

RB

Texas Tech

rSr

5-10

207

4.5

377

35

Matt Asiata

RB

Utah

rSr

5-11

229

4.77

386

36

Armando Allen

RB

Notre Dame

Sr

5-08

199

4.52

390

37

Shaun Draughn

RB

North Carolina

rSr

5-11

213

4.73

407

38

Keith Payne

RB

Virginia

rSr

6-2

257

4.63

410

39

Jay Finley

RB

Baylor

rSr

5-11

203

4.53

437

40

John Griffin

RB

Massachusetts

Sr

5-11

208

4.54

461

41

Chad Spann

RB

Northern Illinois

Sr

5-08

201

4.52

475

42

C.J. Gable

RB

Southern California

rSr

6-0

205

4.56

490

43

Alexander Robinson

RB

Iowa State

rSr

5-09

182

4.52

497

44

Joshua Nesbitt

RB

Georgia Tech

Sr

6-1

212

4.62

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Fullbacks

3 of 19

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

An almost forgotten position in today's NFL, fullbacks still carry a ton of value in the right systems. With many teams moving to a West Coast offense in 2011 (Cleveland, San Francisco), the importance of a versatile fullback will return to the NFL.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

120

1

Charles Clay

FB

Tulsa

Sr

6-3

245

4.69

128

2

Owen Marecic

FB

Stanford

Sr

6-1

248

4.87

142

3

Stanley Havili

FB

Southern California

rSr

6-0

227

4.64

192

4

Henry Hynoski

FB

Pittsburgh

rJr

6-0

257

5.06

224

5

Anthony Sherman

FB

Connecticut

Sr

5-10

242

4.74

259

6

Shaun Chapas

FB

Georgia

rSr

6-2

247

4.87

283

7

Preston Dial

FB

Alabama

rSr

6-2

238

4.83

301

8

Robert Hughes

FB

Notre Dame

Sr

5-11

233

4.72

332

9

Ryan Taylor

FB

North Carolina

Sr

6-3

250

4.76

400

10

Patrick DiMarco

FB

South Carolina

Sr

6-1

240

4.75

467

11

Bryant Ward

FB

Oklahoma State

Sr

5-11

241

4.95

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Wide Receivers

4 of 19

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

A.J. Green or Julio Jones?

That's the question on everyone's mind when it comes to the 2011 wide receiver class. We rank Green slightly higher due to his ability to stay healthy and his "big play" skills. Jones is not far behind.

There is an incredible drop-off in talent after these top two players. If you desperately need a wide receiver, you'd better draft them early.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

6

1

A.J. Green

WR

Georgia

Jr

6-4

211

4.48

8

2

Julio Jones

WR

Alabama

Jr

6-3

220

4.34

41

3

Torrey Smith

WR

Maryland

rJr

6-1

204

4.41

46

4

Randall Cobb

WR

Kentucky

Jr

5-10

191

4.46

53

5

Titus Young

WR

Boise State

rSr

5-11

174

4.43

57

6

Leonard Hankerson

WR

Miami (Fla.)

Sr

6-2

209

4.4

62

7

Jerrel Jernigan

WR

Troy

Sr

5-09

185

4.46

68

8

Jon Baldwin

WR

Pittsburgh

Jr

6-4

228

4.49

85

9

Edmond Gates

WR

Abilene Christian

Sr

6-0

192

4.31

94

10

Greg Little

WR

North Carolina

Sr

6-3

231

4.51

96

11

Austin Pettis

WR

Boise State

Sr

6-3

209

4.56

101

12

Niles Paul

WR

Nebraska

Sr

6-1

224

4.45

113

13

Tandon Doss

WR

Indiana

Jr

6-2

201

4.56

116

14

Greg Salas

WR

Hawaii

rSr

6-1

210

4.53

134

15

Terrence Toliver

WR

LSU

Sr

6-4

212

4.52

158

16

Ronald Johnson

WR

Southern California

Sr

5-11

199

4.46

162

17

Denarius Moore

WR

Tennessee

Sr

6-0

194

4.43

165

18

Vincent Brown

WR

San Diego State

Sr

5-11

187

4.68

166

19

Jeremy Kerley

WR

TCU

Sr

5-10

189

4.56

176

20

Cecil Shorts III

WR

Mount Union

rSr

6-0

205

4.5

181

21

Ryan Whalen

WR

Stanford

Sr

6-1

202

4.53

186

22

Dwayne Harris

WR

East Carolina

rSr

5-10

203

4.53

191

23

Dane Sanzenbacher

WR

Ohio State

Sr

5-11

182

4.56

194

24

Jeff Maehl

WR

Oregon

Sr

6-1

190

4.56

196

25

Darvin Adams

WR

Auburn

Jr

6-2

190

4.56

202

26

Ricardo Lockette

WR

Fort Valley State

rSr

6-2

211

4.34

210

27

Tori Gurley

WR

South Carolina

rSo

6-4

216

4.53

220

28

Stephen Burton

WR

West Texas A&M

Sr

6-1

221

4.5

235

29

Aldrick Robinson

WR

Southern Methodist

Sr

5-10

184

4.35

247

30

Chris Matthews

WR

Kentucky

Sr

6-5

218

4.57

250

31

Courtney Smith

WR

South Alabama

Sr

6-4

223

4.65

274

32

DeAndre Brown

WR

Southern Mississippi

Jr

6-6

233

4.59

277

33

Marshall Williams

WR

Wake Forest

rSr

6-1

188

4.56

284

34

Jimmy Young

WR

TCU

rSr

6-0

204

4.5

286

35

Jock Sanders

WR

West Virginia

Sr

5-06

181

4.5

289

36

Lester Jean

WR

Florida Atlantic

Sr

6-3

215

4.61

300

37

O.J. Murdock

WR

Fort Hays State

rSr

5-11

197

4.53

324

38

Armand Robinson

WR

Miami (Ohio)

rSr

5-11

197

4.52

325

39

Owen Spencer

WR

North Carolina State

Sr

6-2

195

4.51

336

40

Jeremy Ross

WR

California

rSr

6-0

209

4.45

339

41

Mark Dell

WR

Michigan State

Sr

6-0

193

4.57

345

42

Armon Binns

WR

Cincinnati

Sr

6-3

209

4.5

362

43

Kealoha Pilares

WR

Hawaii

Sr

5-10

199

4.56

363

44

Detron Lewis

WR

Texas Tech

Sr

6-0

198

4.64

369

45

DeMarco Sampson

WR

San Diego State

rSr

6-2

204

4.69

383

46

Kris Adams

WR

Texas-El Paso

rSr

6-4

194

4.44

384

47

James Cleveland

WR

Houston

Sr

6-1

205

4.57

401

48

Marcus Harris

WR

Murray State

Sr

6-1

187

4.55

413

49

Andre Holmes

WR

Hillsdale

Sr

6-4

210

4.51

416

50

Scotty McKnight

WR

Colorado

rSr

5-11

182

4.5

423

51

Earl Alexander

WR

Alabama

rSr

6-4

213

4.51

447

52

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

WR

Iowa

rSr

6-0

204

4.52

451

53

Kris Durham

WR

Georgia

Sr

6-5

214

4.57

454

54

Joseph Hills

WR

Tennessee State

Sr

6-4

201

4.59

466

55

Lyle Leong

WR

Texas Tech

Sr

6-0

176

4.51

474

56

David Gilreath

WR

Wisconsin

Sr

5-10

170

4.42

477

57

Vidal Hazelton

WR

Cincinnati

rSr

6-2

213

4.57

480

58

Doug Baldwin

WR

Stanford

Sr

5-10

189

4.48

481

59

James Kirkendoll

WR

Texas

Sr

5-11

185

4.49

489

60

Perry Baker

WR

Fairmont State

rSr

6-0

168

4.58

493

61

Joe Morgan

WR

Walsh

rSr

6-1

189

4.4

496

62

Keith Smith

WR

Purdue

rSr

6-2

214

4.65

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Tight Ends

5 of 19

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The tight end position has experienced a rejuvenation in the NFL thanks to players like Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.

Unfortunately, the 2011 draft class is weak at this key position.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

43

1

Kyle Rudolph

TE

Notre Dame

Jr

6-6

259

4.64

59

2

Luke Stocker

TE

Tennessee

rSr

6-5

258

4.68

73

3

D.J. Williams

TE

Arkansas

Sr

6-2

245

4.59

91

4

Lance Kendricks

TE

Wisconsin

rSr

6-3

243

4.65

107

5

Jordan Cameron

TE

Southern California

rSr

6-5

254

4.53

121

6

Rob Housler

TE

Florida Atlantic

rSr

6-5

248

4.46

126

7

Virgil Green

TE

Nevada

rSr

6-3

249

4.54

161

8

Andre Smith

TE

Virginia Tech

rSr

6-5

269

4.8

178

9

Julius Thomas

TE

Portland State

Sr

6-5

246

4.64

206

10

Mike McNeill

TE

Nebraska

rSr

6-4

232

4.7

229

11

Weslye Saunders

TE

South Carolina

Sr

6-5

270

4.82

238

12

Lee Smith

TE

Marshall

rSr

6-6

266

4.94

243

13

Schuylar Oordt

TE

Northern Iowa

rSr

6-6

261

4.63

266

14

Charlie Gantt

TE

Michigan State

rSr

6-4

252

4.85

269

15

Kyle Adams

TE

Purdue

rSr

6-5

257

4.83

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Offensive Tackles

6 of 19

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

As many as five offensive tackles are projected to be drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The tough part is trying to separate them and rank the most talented of the group.

All five players are equally solid, leaving little room between the first and fifth best player.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

11

1

Tyron Smith

OT

Southern California

Jr

6-5

307

5.08

13

2

Gabe Carimi

OT

Wisconsin

rSr

6-7

314

5.18

14

3

Anthony Castonzo

OT

Boston College

Sr

6-7

311

5.21

25

4

Nate Solder

OT

Colorado

rSr

6-8

319

4.96

27

5

Derek Sherrod

OT

Mississippi State

Sr

6-5

321

5.18

48

6

Marcus Cannon

OT

TCU

rSr

6-5

358

5.26

65

7

Orlando Franklin

OT

Miami (Fla.)

rSr

6-6

316

5.11

82

8

James Carpenter

OT

Alabama

Sr

6-4

321

5.22

87

9

James Brewer

OT

Indiana

rSr

6-6

323

5.21

105

10

Marcus Gilbert

OT

Florida

rSr

6-6

330

5.41

111

11

Jason Pinkston

OT

Pittsburgh

rSr

6-3

317

5.39

141

12

Joseph Barksdale

OT

LSU

Sr

6-5

325

5.31

149

13

Lee Ziemba

OT

Auburn

Sr

6-6

317

5.5

152

14

DeMarcus Love

OT

Arkansas

rSr

6-4

315

5.18

171

15

Jah Reid

OT

UCF

rSr

6-7

327

5.32

174

16

Derek Newton

OT

Arkansas State

rSr

6-5

311

5

193

17

Bryon Stingily

OT

Louisville

Sr

6-5

313

4.96

223

18

Derek Hall

OT

Stanford

rSr

6-5

305

5.24

226

19

Chris Hairston

OT

Clemson

rSr

6-6

326

5.38

239

20

Willie Smith

OT

East Carolina

rSr

6-5

310

5.4

251

21

D.J. Young

OT

Michigan State

rSr

6-5

307

5.34

258

22

Trevis Turner

OT

Abilene Christian

Sr

6-7

342

5.43

297

23

Kyle Hix

OT

Texas

Sr

6-7

319

5.44

315

24

Jarriel King

OT

South Carolina

Sr

6-5

317

5.03

321

25

Byron Bell

OT

New Mexico

Sr

6-5

348

--

330

26

Rich Lapham

OT

Boston College

rSr

6-8

315

5.34

364

27

Kevin Hughes

OT

Southeastern Louisiana

Sr

6-4

302

5.31

394

28

David Mims

OT

Virginia Union

Sr

6-8

343

5.65

412

29

Josh Davis

OT

Georgia

rSr

6-7

313

5.5

419

30

Adam Grant

OT

Arizona

rSr

6-6

325

5.54

441

31

Eric Mensik

OT

Oklahoma

rSr

6-6

296

5.08

456

32

Rob McGill

OT

Louisiana Tech

rSr

6-6

310

5.12

462

33

Curt Porter

OT

Jacksonville State

Sr

6-7

308

5.4

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Offensive Guards

7 of 19

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Every NFL team hopes to find the next Logan Mankins hiding at the end of the first round. This may finally be the year someone gets lucky.

The offensive guard crop in the 2011 draft class is very solid in the first through third rounds. More impressively, many of these players can also play center in a pinch.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

21

1

Mike Pouncey

OG

Florida

Sr

6-5

303

5.12

35

2

Danny Watkins

OG

Baylor

Sr

6-3

310

5.36

50

3

Benjamin Ijalana

OG

Villanova

Sr

6-4

317

5.34

77

4

Clint Boling

OG

Georgia

Sr

6-5

308

5.28

86

5

Will Rackley

OG

Lehigh

Sr

6-3

309

5.39

117

6

John Moffitt

OG

Wisconsin

rSr

6-4

319

5.51

132

7

Stephen Schilling

OG

Michigan

rSr

6-4

308

5.18

155

8

Zach Hurd

OG

Connecticut

rSr

6-7

316

5.28

179

9

Keith Williams

OG

Nebraska

rSr

6-4

318

5.28

198

10

David Arkin

OG

Missouri State

rSr

6-5

300

5.31

217

11

Justin Boren

OG

Ohio State

rSr

6-3

309

5.4

230

12

Andrew Jackson

OG

Fresno State

rSr

6-5

299

5.27

256

13

Mike Person

OG

Montana State

rSr

6-5

299

5.07

276

14

Andrew Phillips

OG

Stanford

rSr

6-4

302

5.36

294

15

Ray Dominguez

OG

Arkansas

rSr

6-4

334

5.45

304

16

Ricky Henry

OG

Nebraska

rSr

6-3

308

5.68

317

17

Daniel Kilgore

OG

Appalachian State

Sr

6-3

308

5.28

343

18

Julian Vandervelde

OG

Iowa

rSr

6-2

301

5.12

351

19

Caleb Schlauderaff

OG

Utah

rSr

6-4

305

5.18

352

20

Carl Johnson

OG

Florida

rSr

6-5

361

5.4

373

21

Maurice Hurt

OG

Florida

rSr

6-3

318

5.42

374

22

Bryant Browning

OG

Ohio State

rSr

6-3

316

5.42

392

23

Randall Hunt

OG

Illinois

rSr

6-6

318

5.23

417

24

Garrett Chisolm

OG

South Carolina

Sr

6-5

312

5.36

424

25

John Bender

OG

Nevada

rSr

6-8

325

5.32

449

26

Butch Lewis

OG

Southern California

rSr

6-5

295

5.13

487

27

Mike Berry

OG

Auburn

rSr

6-3

318

5.48

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Centers

8 of 19

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Rodney Hudson is one of our favorite players in this entire draft.

His ability to stone-wall defenders at barely 300 pounds is encouraging, and impressive. He will be a steal for one lucky NFL team in the early second round.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

45

1

Rodney Hudson

C

Florida State

Sr

6-2

299

5.27

60

2

Stefen Wisniewski

C

Penn State

Sr

6-3

313

5.29

131

3

Kristofer O'Dowd

C

Southern California

Sr

6-4

304

5.12

137

4

Tim Barnes

C

Missouri

rSr

6-4

298

5.17

177

5

Brandon Fusco

C

Slippery Rock

Sr

6-4

306

5.18

183

6

Jake Kirkpatrick

C

TCU

rSr

6-2

300

5.32

216

7

Jason Kelce

C

Cincinnati

rSr

6-3

280

4.89

234

8

Alex Linnenkohl

C

Oregon State

rSr

6-2

304

5.36

261

9

Zach Williams

C

Washington State

rSr

6-3

309

5.18

296

10

Zane Taylor

C

Utah

rSr

6-3

309

5.52

302

11

Ryan Bartholomew

C

Syracuse

rSr

6-1

302

4.93

318

12

Kevin Kowalski

C

Toledo

Sr

6-3

300

5.05

382

13

J.C. Brignone

C

Mississippi State

rSr

6-1

309

5.26

406

14

Chase Beeler

C

Stanford

rSr

6-3

285

5.26

409

15

Colin Baxter

C

Arizona

rSr

6-3

311

5.42

478

16

Ryan Pugh

C

Auburn

Sr

6-1

307

5.46

486

17

Ben Lamaak

C

Iowa State

rSr

6-4

320

5.28

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Defensive Ends

9 of 19

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The group of defensive ends available this year is among the most impressive we have ever seen.

There are edge-rushing freaks like Robert Quinn and Ryan Kerrigan, as well as big-bodied anchors in Adrian Clayborn and Cameron Heyward.

All in all, 2011 is a good year to need a defensive end.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

5

1

Robert Quinn

DE

North Carolina

Jr

6-4

265

4.62

10

2

Cameron Jordan

DE

California

Sr

6-4

287

4.74

12

3

Da'Quan Bowers

DE

Clemson

Jr

6-3

280

4.64

15

4

J.J. Watt

DE

Wisconsin

rJr

6-5

290

4.81

18

5

Adrian Clayborn

DE

Iowa

rSr

6-3

281

4.78

19

6

Ryan Kerrigan

DE

Purdue

Sr

6-4

267

4.67

23

7

Aldon Smith

DE

Missouri

rSo

6-4

263

4.74

29

8

Cameron Heyward

DE

Ohio State

Sr

6-5

294

4.92

40

9

Jabaal Sheard

DE

Pittsburgh

Sr

6-3

264

4.68

49

10

Christian Ballard

DE

Iowa

Sr

6-4

283

4.75

63

11

Allen Bailey

DE

Miami (Fla.)

Sr

6-3

285

4.71

102

12

Pernell McPhee

DE

Mississippi State

Sr

6-3

278

4.91

104

13

Ricky Elmore

DE

Arizona

rSr

6-5

255

4.88

123

14

Pierre Allen

DE

Nebraska

rSr

6-4

273

4.78

127

15

Greg Romeus

DE

Pittsburgh

rSr

6-5

264

4.79

164

16

Ugo Chinasa

DE

Oklahoma State

rSr

6-5

264

4.63

199

17

Cliff Matthews

DE

South Carolina

Sr

6-4

257

4.81

204

18

Markus White

DE

Florida State

rSr

6-4

266

4.86

214

19

Brandon Bair

DE

Oregon

rSr

6-6

276

4.92

233

20

Eddie Jones

DE

Texas

rSr

6-2

258

4.75

236

21

Ryan Winterswyk

DE

Boise State

rSr

6-4

268

4.96

255

22

Lazarius Levingston

DE

LSU

rSr

6-4

292

4.93

267

23

D'Aundre Reed

DE

Arizona

rSr

6-4

261

4.84

295

24

Cheta Ozougwu

DE

Rice

Sr

6-2

247

4.84

299

25

Karl Klug

DE

Iowa

rSr

6-3

275

4.81

303

26

Steven Friday

DE

Virginia Tech

rSr

6-3

228

4.66

337

27

Kentrell Lockett

DE

Mississippi

rSr

6-5

241

4.78

344

28

Clay Nurse

DE

Illinois

rSr

6-3

259

4.87

357

29

Justin Trattou

DE

Florida

Sr

6-4

255

4.79

378

30

Demarcus Dobbs

DE

Georgia

rSr

6-2

281

4.87

379

31

Jonathan Freeny

DE

Rutgers

Sr

6-3

242

4.78

388

32

Gabe Miller

DE

Oregon State

rSr

6-3

250

4.63

393

33

Markell Carter

DE

Central Arkansas

Sr

6-4

252

4.76

427

34

Roberto Davis

DE

Northwest Missouri State

Sr

6-2

247

--

429

35

Robert Eddins

DE

Ball State

rSr

6-2

242

4.79

432

36

Zane Parr

DE

Virginia

rJr

6-6

275

4.95

450

37

Craig Marshall

DE

South Florida

Sr

6-5

276

4.79

457

38

Junior Tui'one

DE

Utah

Sr

6-4

265

4.74

468

39

Antoine Carter

DE

Auburn

Sr

6-3

259

4.76

483

40

Ronnell Brown

DE

James Madison

Sr

6-2

270

4.84

488

41

Damario Ambrose

DE

Arkansas

Sr

6-3

260

4.8

491

42

Jake Laptad

DE

Kansas

Sr

6-4

260

4.89

499

43

Alex Albright

DE

Boston College

rSr

6-5

250

4.82

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: 3-4 Defensive Ends

10 of 19

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

As the 3-4 defense becomes more prevalent in the NFL we have found it necessary to scout and rank the players who fit this scheme alone.

A defensive end in a 3-4 generally lines up in a "five" technique, which means he is head-up on the offensive tackle. His job is to jam the tackle at the snap, hold his ground and make sure the runner does not get outside him.

In some schemes, like Green Bay's, the defensive end will be asked to push the tackle back as far as possible to pressure the quarterback. In New England, they like their ends to crash the pocket and get their hands up to disrupt passing lanes.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

3

1

Marcell Dareus

DT

Alabama

Jr

6-3

319

4.93

10

2

Cameron Jordan

DE

California

Sr

6-4

287

4.74

15

4

J.J. Watt

DE

Wisconsin

rJr

6-5

290

4.81

18

5

Adrian Clayborn

DE

Iowa

rSr

6-3

281

4.78

24

3

Corey Liuget

DT

Illinois

Jr

6-2

298

4.97

29

8

Cameron Heyward

DE

Ohio State

Sr

6-5

294

4.92

34

5

Muhammad Wilkerson

DT

Temple

Jr

6-4

315

4.96

47

6

Marvin Austin

DT

North Carolina

Sr

6-2

309

4.84

49

10

Christian Ballard

DE

Iowa

Sr

6-4

283

4.75

63

11

Allen Bailey

DE

Miami (Fla.)

Sr

6-3

285

4.71

74

10

Jarvis Jenkins

DT

Clemson

Sr

6-4

310

5.03

98

12

Lawrence Guy

DT

Arizona State

Jr

6-4

305

4.96

190

18

Cedric Thornton

DT

Southern Arkansas

Sr

6-3

309

5.25

255

22

Lazarius Levingston

DE

LSU

rSr

6-4

292

4.93

299

25

Karl Klug

DE

Iowa

rSr

6-3

275

4.81

342

27

Mike Blanc

DT

Auburn

Sr

6-3

286

4.95

378

30

Demarcus Dobbs

DE

Georgia

rSr

6-2

281

4.87

432

36

Zane Parr

DE

Virginia

rJr

6-6

275

4.95

450

37

Craig Marshall

DE

South Florida

Sr

6-5

276

4.79

452

36

Frank Kearse

DT

Alabama A&M

Sr

6-4

315

5.3

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Defensive Tackles

11 of 19

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Defensive tackles are among the key ingredients to a successful NFL team. Without one, your defense will struggle. Add the right defensive tackle to your defense and watch the opposition tremble in fear.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

2

1

Marcell Dareus

DT

Alabama

Jr

6-3

319

4.93

4

2

Nick Fairley

DT

Auburn

Sr

6-4

291

4.84

24

3

Corey Liuget

DT

Illinois

Jr

6-2

298

4.97

26

4

Phil Taylor

DT

Baylor

rSr

6-3

334

5.09

34

5

Muhammad Wilkerson

DT

Temple

Jr

6-4

315

4.96

47

6

Marvin Austin

DT

North Carolina

Sr

6-2

309

4.84

52

7

Stephen Paea

DT

Oregon State

rSr

6-1

303

4.98

67

8

Kenrick Ellis

DT

Hampton

rSr

6-5

346

5.19

69

9

Drake Nevis

DT

LSU

Sr

6-1

294

5.06

74

10

Jarvis Jenkins

DT

Clemson

Sr

6-4

310

5.03

81

11

Jurrell Casey

DT

Southern California

Jr

6-1

300

5.04

98

12

Lawrence Guy

DT

Arizona State

Jr

6-4

305

4.96

125

13

Jerrell Powe

DT

Mississippi

rSr

6-2

335

5.25

140

14

Ian Williams

DT

Notre Dame

Sr

6-1

319

5.21

145

15

Terrell McClain

DT

South Florida

Sr

6-2

297

4.98

172

16

Sione Fua

DT

Stanford

Sr

6-2

308

5.28

187

17

Martin Parker

DT

Richmond

rSr

6-2

303

4.95

190

18

Cedric Thornton

DT

Southern Arkansas

Sr

6-3

309

5.25

203

19

Chris Neild

DT

West Virginia

rSr

6-2

319

5.06

218

20

David Carter

DT

UCLA

rSr

6-5

297

4.96

248

21

Ollie Ogbu

DT

Penn State

rSr

6-1

298

5.09

263

22

Sealver Siliga

DT

Utah

Jr

6-2

305

5.04

280

23

Colby Whitlock

DT

Texas Tech

Sr

6-2

302

5.27

292

24

Anthony Gray

DT

Southern Mississippi

rSr

5-11

330

5.18

311

25

Ladi Ajiboye

DT

South Carolina

Sr

6-1

297

5.31

334

26

John Graves

DT

Virginia Tech

rSr

6-3

286

5.09

342

27

Mike Blanc

DT

Auburn

Sr

6-3

286

4.95

370

28

Ibraham Abdulai

DT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Sr

6-2

301

5.24

381

29

Damik Scafe

DT

Boston College

rSr

6-2

298

5.14

395

30

Corbin Bryant

DT

Northwestern

rSr

6-3

297

5.1

398

31

Cory Grant

DT

TCU

rSr

6-1

316

5.09

414

32

Adrian Taylor

DT

Oklahoma

rSr

6-3

311

5.22

420

33

Zach Clayton

DT

Auburn

rSr

6-2

299

4.85

422

34

Ricky Lumpkin

DT

Kentucky

rSr

6-4

313

5.35

440

35

Dexter Larimore

DT

Ohio State

rSr

6-3

319

5.18

452

36

Frank Kearse

DT

Alabama A&M

Sr

6-4

315

5.3

460

37

Guy Miller

DT

Colorado State

Sr

6-3

302

5.27

463

38

Ted Laurent

DT

Mississippi

Sr

6-1

304

5.04

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Nose Tackles

12 of 19

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Another of the positions exclusive to the 3-4 defense, a nose tackle's job is to simply plug the hole in the middle of the defense.

A good nose tackle draws a double team from the center-guard and allows one of the middle linebackers to roam free and make tackles. A great example of this is Kelly Gregg in Baltimore.

Defensive tackles are not generally drafted early on, but their importance cannot be overlooked.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

26

4

Phil Taylor

DT

Baylor

rSr

6-3

334

5.09

67

8

Kenrick Ellis

DT

Hampton

rSr

6-5

346

5.19

125

13

Jerrell Powe

DT

Mississippi

rSr

6-2

335

5.25

140

14

Ian Williams

DT

Notre Dame

Sr

6-1

319

5.21

172

16

Sione Fua

DT

Stanford

Sr

6-2

308

5.28

187

17

Martin Parker

DT

Richmond

rSr

6-2

303

4.95

203

19

Chris Neild

DT

West Virginia

rSr

6-2

319

5.06

263

22

Sealver Siliga

DT

Utah

Jr

6-2

305

5.04

292

24

Anthony Gray

DT

Southern Mississippi

rSr

5-11

330

5.18

370

28

Ibraham Abdulai

DT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Sr

6-2

301

5.24

398

31

Cory Grant

DT

TCU

rSr

6-1

316

5.09

414

32

Adrian Taylor

DT

Oklahoma

rSr

6-3

311

5.22

422

34

Ricky Lumpkin

DT

Kentucky

rSr

6-4

313

5.35

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Outside Linebackers

13 of 19

In 10 years of analyzing and then scouting players for the NFL Draft, I can remember only one outside linebacker with a higher grade than Von Miller has this year.

That player was Lavar Arrington.

While Arrington's career was cut short by injury, his potential was amazing.

Miller is in that same elite category.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

2

1

Von Miller

OLB

Texas A&M

Sr

6-3

246

4.42

30

2

Akeem Ayers

OLB

UCLA

rJr

6-3

254

4.81

32

3

Brooks Reed

OLB

Arizona

rSr

6-3

263

4.65

37

4

Justin Houston

OLB

Georgia

rJr

6-3

270

4.62

51

5

Bruce Carter

OLB

North Carolina

Sr

6-2

241

4.57

64

6

Sam Acho

OLB

Texas

Sr

6-2

262

4.67

70

7

Dontay Moch

OLB

Nevada

rSr

6-1

248

4.4

75

8

Chris Carter

OLB

Fresno State

Sr

6-1

248

4.58

106

9

K.J. Wright

OLB

Mississippi State

Sr

6-3

246

4.75

109

10

Mason Foster

OLB

Washington

Sr

6-1

245

4.75

138

11

Lawrence Wilson

OLB

Connecticut

rSr

6-1

229

4.71

148

12

Ross Homan

OLB

Ohio State

rSr

6-1

240

4.66

160

13

Mark Herzlich

OLB

Boston College

rSr

6-4

244

4.91

180

14

Brian Rolle

OLB

Ohio State

Sr

5-10

229

4.53

185

15

Jonas Mouton

OLB

Michigan

rSr

6-1

239

4.84

200

16

Scott Lutrus

OLB

Connecticut

rSr

6-2

241

4.68

222

17

Thomas Keiser

OLB

Stanford

rJr

6-5

244

4.84

225

18

Doug Hogue

OLB

Syracuse

Sr

6-3

235

4.62

231

19

J.T. Thomas

OLB

West Virginia

rSr

6-1

241

4.65

246

20

Adrian Moten

OLB

Maryland

rSr

6-2

228

4.53

262

21

Jabara Williams

OLB

Stephen F. Austin

rSr

6-2

223

4.64

290

22

Quentin Davie

OLB

Northwestern

rSr

6-4

232

4.72

312

23

Jeremiha Hunter

OLB

Iowa

rSr

6-1

239

4.77

313

24

Bruce Miller

OLB

UCF

rSr

6-1

254

4.81

323

25

D.J. Smith

OLB

Appalachian State

Sr

5-11

239

4.75

331

26

Craig Stevens

OLB

Auburn

rSr

6-2

230

4.67

350

27

Ricky Brewer

OLB

Colorado State

rSr

6-1

222

4.7

358

28

Wayne Daniels

OLB

TCU

rSr

6-0

260

5.03

375

29

Kenny Rowe

OLB

Oregon

Sr

6-2

244

4.9

396

30

Eric Gordon

OLB

Michigan State

rSr

6-0

225

4.55

411

31

Victor Aiyewa

OLB

Washington

Sr

6-1

219

4.67

425

32

Jamari Lattimore

OLB

Middle Tennessee

rSr

6-2

218

4.74

436

33

Michael Morgan

OLB

Southern California

rSr

6-3

220

4.64

444

34

Spencer Paysinger

OLB

Oregon

rSr

6-3

234

4.75

448

35

Chris Walker

OLB

Tennessee

Sr

6-2

236

4.72

458

36

Anthony Leon

OLB

Arkansas

rSr

6-4

226

4.68

471

37

Brian Smith

OLB

Notre Dame

Sr

6-3

235

4.72

476

38

Eric McBride

OLB

Richmond

rSr

6-1

232

4.76

479

39

Anthony Egbuniwe

OLB

Georgia Tech

rSr

6-4

256

4.98

492

40

Nate Bussey

OLB

Illinois

Sr

6-1

219

4.64

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: 3-4 Outside Linebackers

14 of 19

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

An outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense is really asked to do one thing: kill the quarterback.

There are some strong-side linebackers who will drop back in to coverage depending on which defensive coordinator you follow, but for the most part outside 'backers in a 3-4 are just super-fast pass rushers.

The 2011 draft does not disappoint with top-ranked talent at the position. Rounds two through seven, however, are not as promising.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

2

1

Von Miller

OLB

Texas A&M

Sr

6-3

246

4.42

5

1

Robert Quinn

DE

North Carolina

Jr

6-4

265

4.62

19

6

Ryan Kerrigan

DE

Purdue

Sr

6-4

267

4.67

23

7

Aldon Smith

DE

Missouri

rSo

6-4

263

4.74

30

2

Akeem Ayers

OLB

UCLA

rJr

6-3

254

4.81

32

3

Brooks Reed

OLB

Arizona

rSr

6-3

263

4.65

37

4

Justin Houston

OLB

Georgia

rJr

6-3

270

4.62

40

9

Jabaal Sheard

DE

Pittsburgh

Sr

6-3

264

4.68

64

6

Sam Acho

OLB

Texas

Sr

6-2

262

4.67

75

8

Chris Carter

OLB

Fresno State

Sr

6-1

248

4.58

104

13

Ricky Elmore

DE

Arizona

rSr

6-5

255

4.88

106

9

K.J. Wright

OLB

Mississippi State

Sr

6-3

246

4.75

109

10

Mason Foster

OLB

Washington

Sr

6-1

245

4.75

164

16

Ugo Chinasa

DE

Oklahoma State

rSr

6-5

264

4.63

200

16

Scott Lutrus

OLB

Connecticut

rSr

6-2

241

4.68

204

18

Markus White

DE

Florida State

rSr

6-4

266

4.86

231

19

J.T. Thomas

OLB

West Virginia

rSr

6-1

241

4.65

295

24

Cheta Ozougwu

DE

Rice

Sr

6-2

247

4.84

303

26

Steven Friday

DE

Virginia Tech

rSr

6-3

228

4.66

312

23

Jeremiha Hunter

OLB

Iowa

rSr

6-1

239

4.77

313

24

Bruce Miller

OLB

UCF

rSr

6-1

254

4.81

358

28

Wayne Daniels

OLB

TCU

rSr

6-0

260

5.03

375

29

Kenny Rowe

OLB

Oregon

Sr

6-2

244

4.9

388

32

Gabe Miller

DE

Oregon State

rSr

6-3

250

4.63

471

37

Brian Smith

OLB

Notre Dame

Sr

6-3

235

4.72

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Inside Linebackers

15 of 19

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Inside linebackers must be exceptional athletes, intelligent enough to make play calls and strong enough to lead the defense.

This isn't an easy job to fill.

The 2011 class is full of promising young men with all the requirements to take over their new teams.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

38

1

Martez Wilson

ILB

Illinois

rJr

6-4

250

4.42

83

2

Quan Sturdivant

ILB

North Carolina

Sr

6-1

241

4.63

93

3

Colin McCarthy

ILB

Miami (Fla.)

rSr

6-1

238

4.59

97

4

Greg Jones

ILB

Michigan State

Sr

6-0

242

4.75

118

5

Casey Matthews

ILB

Oregon

Sr

6-1

231

4.79

122

6

Kelvin Sheppard

ILB

LSU

rSr

6-2

250

4.7

143

7

Nate Irving

ILB

North Carolina State

rSr

6-1

240

4.77

167

8

Jeremy Beal

ILB

Oklahoma

rSr

6-2

262

5.14

169

9

Josh Bynes

ILB

Auburn

Sr

6-1

240

4.8

184

10

Mike Mohamed

ILB

California

rSr

6-3

239

4.65

228

11

Chris White

ILB

Mississippi State

Sr

6-3

240

4.74

242

12

Nick Bellore

ILB

Central Michigan

Sr

6-1

245

4.84

253

13

Akeem Dent

ILB

Georgia

rSr

6-1

242

4.78

265

14

Mario Harvey

ILB

Marshall

rSr

5-11

250

4.73

273

15

Greg Lloyd

ILB

Connecticut

rSr

6-1

246

4.8

329

16

Orie Lemon

ILB

Oklahoma State

rSr

6-1

242

4.87

340

17

Brian Duncan

ILB

Texas Tech

rSr

6-1

235

4.89

356

18

Derrell Smith

ILB

Syracuse

rSr

6-0

243

4.8

360

19

Alex Wujciak

ILB

Maryland

rSr

6-3

247

4.78

376

20

Jeff Tarpinian

ILB

Iowa

rSr

6-2

238

4.64

380

21

Elijah Joseph

ILB

Temple

Sr

6-1

243

4.8

408

22

Tressor Baptiste

ILB

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Sr

6-0

235

4.82

446

23

Brad Jefferson

ILB

Georgia Tech

Sr

6-2

240

4.75

465

24

Cobrani Mixon

ILB

Kent State

rSr

6-1

241

4.69

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Cornerbacks

16 of 19

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In 10 years of ranking players for the draft, not once has a cornerback been ranked No. 1 overall.

Charles Woodson was close, but Peyton Manning carried the top spot on our big board in 1997. Champ Bailey was also close, but we are embarrassed to admit Tim Couch was our No. 1 guy in '99.

Patrick Peterson carries the distinction of being our No. 1 player this year. He might also become the first cornerback drafted first overall in the modern era.

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

1

1

Patrick Peterson

CB

LSU

Jr

6-0

219

4.31

7

2

Prince Amukamara

CB

Nebraska

Sr

6-0

206

4.38

28

3

Jimmy Smith

CB

Colorado

rSr

6-2

211

4.42

36

4

Brandon Harris

CB

Miami (Fla.)

Jr

5-10

191

4.46

44

5

Aaron Williams

CB

Texas

Jr

6-0

204

4.55

54

6

Curtis Brown

CB

Texas

Sr

6-0

185

4.51

55

7

Ras-I Dowling

CB

Virginia

Sr

6-1

198

4.4

56

8

Davon House

CB

New Mexico State

Sr

6-1

200

4.44

61

9

Brandon Burton

CB

Utah

rJr

6-0

190

4.5

79

10

Shareece Wright

CB

Southern California

rSr

5-11

185

4.41

89

11

Marcus Gilchrist

CB

Clemson

Sr

5-10

195

4.45

90

12

Chimdi Chekwa

CB

Ohio State

rSr

6-0

191

4.38

92

13

Johnny Patrick

CB

Louisville

rSr

5-11

191

4.59

108

14

Buster Skrine

CB

Chattanooga

Sr

5-10

186

4.37

110

15

Curtis Marsh

CB

Utah State

Sr

6-1

197

4.42

124

16

Jalil Brown

CB

Colorado

Sr

6-1

204

4.52

129

17

Chykie Brown

CB

Texas

rSr

5-11

190

4.49

139

18

Brandon Hogan

CB

West Virginia

Sr

5-10

192

4.43

144

19

Rashad Carmichael

CB

Virginia Tech

rSr

5-10

192

4.53

146

20

Kendric Burney

CB

North Carolina

rSr

5-09

186

4.71

157

21

Cortez Allen

CB

Citadel

rSr

6-1

197

4.5

168

22

Ryan Jones

CB

Northwest Missouri State

rSr

5-11

197

4.42

175

23

Chris L. Rucker

CB

Michigan State

Sr

6-1

195

4.55

197

24

Justin Rogers

CB

Richmond

rSr

5-11

180

4.45

207

25

Byron Maxwell

CB

Clemson

rSr

6-0

202

4.43

212

26

Anthony Gaitor

CB

Florida International

Sr

5-10

177

4.48

213

27

Ryan Hill

CB

Miami (Fla.)

rSr

5-11

202

4.6

219

28

Richard Sherman

CB

Stanford

rSr

6-3

195

4.54

237

29

Josh Thomas

CB

Buffalo

Sr

5-10

191

4.46

260

30

Loyce Means

CB

Houston

Sr

5-10

177

4.45

264

31

Korey Lindsey

CB

Southern Illinois

Sr

5-10

189

4.56

272

32

DeMarcus Van Dyke

CB

Miami (Fla.)

Sr

6-1

176

4.25

308

33

Devon Torrence

CB

Ohio State

Sr

6-0

199

4.68

319

34

Darrin Walls

CB

Notre Dame

rSr

6-0

188

4.47

322

35

Kevin Rutland

CB

Missouri

rSr

6-0

190

4.58

361

36

Josh Gatlin

CB

North Dakota State

Sr

6-1

196

4.39

366

37

Demond Washington

CB

Auburn

Sr

5-09

180

4.45

368

38

Mario Butler

CB

Georgia Tech

Sr

6-0

182

4.65

387

39

Jason Teague

CB

TCU

Sr

6-2

184

4.54

389

40

Andrew McGee

CB

Oklahoma State

Sr

5-11

195

4.71

402

41

Julian (Joonie) Posey

CB

Ohio

rSr

5-10

189

4.48

415

42

Talmadge Jackson

CB

Oregon

Sr

5-09

186

4.46

418

43

Brandyn Thompson

CB

Boise State

Sr

5-09

189

4.5

428

44

Mike Holmes

CB

Syracuse

Sr

5-10

182

4.5

433

45

James Dockery

CB

Oregon State

rSr

6-1

185

4.52

438

46

Vance Cuff

CB

Georgia

Sr

5-10

178

4.53

442

47

Vince Agnew

CB

Central Michigan

rSr

5-10

192

4.4

459

48

Bryant Nnabuife

CB

California

Sr

6-1

193

4.57

472

49

Jamal Robinson

CB

Houston

rSr

5-10

190

4.56

484

50

Carl Gettis

CB

Missouri

Sr

5-10

201

4.73

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Safeties

17 of 19

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

It is unfortunate, but no safety ranked in our top 500 players makes the cut as a first-round prospect this year.

Other positions in this draft are stocked full of talented players from Round 1 through Round 7. At safety, we find the rounds stocked from the second to the fourth.

Free Safety

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

58

1

Rahim Moore

FS

UCLA

Jr

6-0

202

4.58

72

2

Quinton Carter

FS

Oklahoma

rSr

6-1

208

4.57

99

3

Chris Conte

FS

California

Sr

6-2

197

4.52

119

4

Jaiquawn Jarrett

FS

Temple

Sr

6-0

198

4.62

133

5

Robert Sands

FS

West Virginia

rJr

6-4

217

4.53

136

6

Chris Culliver

FS

South Carolina

Sr

6-0

199

4.36

163

7

Deunta Williams

FS

North Carolina

rSr

6-2

205

4.53

189

8

Jerrard Tarrant

FS

Georgia Tech

rJr

6-0

204

4.57

201

9

Eric Hagg

FS

Nebraska

Sr

6-1

209

4.62

209

10

Jermale Hines

FS

Ohio State

Sr

6-1

219

4.61

245

11

Mark LeGree

FS

Appalachian State

Sr

6-0

210

4.49

281

12

Chris Prosinski

FS

Wyoming

rSr

6-1

201

4.42

287

13

Will Hill

FS

Florida

Jr

6-1

202

4.64

320

14

Brian Lainhart

FS

Kent State

rSr

6-0

211

4.64

347

15

Tommie Campbell

FS

California (PA)

rSr

6-2

204

4.45

355

16

Colin Jones

FS

TCU

rSr

6-0

201

4.4

399

17

Jonathan Nelson

FS

Oklahoma

rSr

5-11

198

4.51

453

18

Javes Lewis

FS

Oregon

Jr

6-1

201

4.57

494

19

Jeremy Kellem

FS

Middle Tennessee

Sr

5-10

190

4.53

Strong Safety

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

88

1

DeAndre McDaniel

SS

Clemson

Sr

6-0

217

4.63

95

2

Tyler Sash

SS

Iowa

rJr

6-0

211

4.62

115

3

Ahmad Black

SS

Florida

Sr

5-10

184

4.7

150

4

Joe Lefeged

SS

Rutgers

Sr

6-0

210

4.42

156

5

Da'Norris Searcy

SS

North Carolina

Sr

5-11

223

4.55

182

6

Jeron Johnson

SS

Boise State

rSr

5-10

212

4.51

211

7

Shiloh Keo

SS

Idaho

rSr

5-11

219

4.74

227

8

Nate Williams

SS

Washington

Sr

6-0

211

4.68

249

9

Dom DeCicco

SS

Pittsburgh

Sr

6-3

232

4.64

270

10

DeJon Gomes

SS

Nebraska

Sr

6-0

208

4.5

306

11

David Sims

SS

Iowa State

Sr

5-09

200

4.5

310

12

Isa Abdul-El Quddus

SS

Fordham

Sr

6-0

200

4.52

341

13

Eugene Clifford

SS

Tennessee State

Sr

6-1

204

4.56

367

14

Johnny Brown

SS

Mississippi

Sr

6-0

212

4.57

371

15

Davonte Shannon

SS

Buffalo

Sr

6-0

211

4.64

397

16

Zac Etheridge

SS

Auburn

rSr

5-11

201

4.6

404

17

Jay Valai

SS

Wisconsin

rSr

5-08

200

4.74

435

18

Alex Ibiloye

SS

TCU

rSr

5-11

196

4.56

439

19

Mana Silva

SS

Hawaii

rSr

6-1

212

4.64

443

20

Andrew Rich

SS

Brigham Young

Sr

6-3

220

4.65

455

21

Kevin Brown

SS

Middle Tennessee

Sr

6-1

210

4.58

498

22

Davon Morgan

SS

Virginia Tech

Sr

6-0

194

4.7

2011 NFL Draft Top 500: Specialists

18 of 19

Eric Francis/Getty Images

Every few years a kicker comes along that is good enough to see him drafted in the top 150 selections.

This year we just might be so lucky.

Kickers

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

151

1

Alex Henery

K

Nebraska

rSr

6-2

177

4.87

244

2

Kai Forbath

K

UCLA

rSr

5-11

197

4.78

257

3

Josh Jasper

K

LSU

Sr

5-10

174

5.06

279

4

Dan Bailey

K

Oklahoma State

rSr

6-0

193

4.92

291

5

Jake Rogers

K

Cincinnati

rSr

6-2

213

5.06

346

6

Thomas Weber

K

Arizona State

rSr

6-1

200

4.9

391

7

Wes Byrum

K

Auburn

Sr

6-1

217

4.82

403

8

Kyle Brotzman

K

Boise State

rSr

5-10

200

4.86

Punters

Overall

Pos. Rank

Player

Position

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

215

1

Chas Henry

P

Florida

Sr

6-3

219

4.85

232

2

Ryan Donahue

P

Iowa

rSr

6-2

193

4.9

278

3

Reid Forrest

P

Washington State

rSr

6-0

189

4.71

285

4

Matt Bosher

P

Miami (Fla.)

rSr

6-1

208

4.78

288

5

Derek Epperson

P

Baylor

Sr

6-3

237

5.05

365

6

Trevor Hankins

P

Arizona State

rSr

6-4

235

5.15

434

7

Anthony Santella

P

Illinois

rSr

6-1

181

5.04

485

8

Dan Hutchins

P

Pittsburgh

rSr

5-11

195

--

Long Snappers

OVR

Pos. Rank

Player

Pos.

School

Class

Ht.

Wt.

40 Time

275

1

Danny Aiken

LS

Virginia

Sr

6'5

244

5.09

2011 NFL Draft: The Top 500 Players Available

19 of 19

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Overall, the 2011 NFL Draft class is considerably strong.

The talent at quarterback, offensive tackle, defensive end and cornerback is solid from top to bottom. Other positions like wide receiver, tight end and inside linebacker are deep in the middle rounds of the draft, where they will provide great value.

What we know for sure is that the 2011 NFL Draft will be an exciting three days. We hope you're ready.